jbstevens's blog

Finally it's here! The Beantown Swing Orchestra's first recorded studio album "Trolley Songs" is now available on Amazon, Itunes and at beantownswing.com . Make sure you get your copy today!

Here I am talking about the great male interpreters of the Great American Songbook and leaving a few out. I've discussed Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, and of course Frank Sinatra but what about the "King of Cool", Dean Martin.

Tony Bennett:

I have had the honor and privilege of seeing Mr. Bennett twice in the past two years. Both times were incredible experiences. Not only is he the last of the living legends in regards to interpreters of the Great American Songbook but he is a true master of performance and a joy to watch.

My dad loves to work out. He runs outside and then he runs on the treadmill. While he's on the treadmill, he blasts music that pumps him up so he can run faster and for a longer distance. Growing up, the music would echo from the basement, his workout room, up through the vents into nearly every room in the house. This is where my education in the music of my parents generation began.

Sinatra At the Sands & Songs For Swingin' Lovers
If you ask most Sinatra, Jazz, or music lovers what their favorite Sinatra album is, they will most likely answer one of these two albums. Songs For Swingin' Lovers, as I've said before, was the first Sinatra album I ever owned. It remains to this day, in my opinion, to be one of the best vocal performances to ever be recorded. And you can not help but smile and laugh at Frank Sinatra's "off-the-cuff" remarks on Sinatra At the Sands.